Atkins tends to get caught out in those split second shall I shall I not pass moments a creative centre he's not, this season he has tried more passes something he must be working on though he'll never be a natural, the rest of his game he has good defence, footwork, strength, pace and a good team ethic during a very frustrating season.

Get the Wire back to something like and I think we will see a different Atkins.

Erm, McNamara U-turned on that original decision and picked him for the squad for the game against the Exiles. And the reason he wasn't available for selection was apparently due to a wrist injury.

Anyway, the point I am making (which you have missed) was that he is a former England international who is now light years away from getting back in the squad and he's on an awful run of form. And also as I've just remembered, he's also been a Dream Team inductee too.

Those were his salad days, and they are long gone now.

I wouldn't be surprised if the biggest part of Gene's try's if not all, come from a Currie pass or a hb pass/kick.

Thanks W111. I said I recall, I wasn't completely sure. I didn't know he got recalled. I don't remember that.
And I didn't miss your point as I fully backed it in my very 1st sentence.

I'm with rico here, but deleted the pace bit (which I think he has lost)

Whilst I'm not Atkins's greatest admirer I do cringe at some of the things spouted on this thread though.

His defence against Wigan was superb and saved 2 certain tries, so it's not all negative regardless of how some may think.

I'm not a fan of Atkins passing game but I think people are being harsh here. Much too harsh. He is one of a number of players who have put their hand up and is playing crocked. He is trying to manage recovery from leg and upper body injuries while playing and I know there are times this season when he should not have played but went through the pain barrier.

I'm not a fan of that Matt. I'd rather anyone not near 100% not play. It doesn't happen at Wigan. They blood a kid. Wane never takes chances on his love child's Lockers and Micky Mac.
I would have rested Ratchford last week regardless of his seniority.

Well RD thank you are, and never will be, in a position to do such a thing.

Not all decisions please everyone.

Ben Currie who only four of your players have made more tackles than this year?

I think Atkins is probably more suited to playing second row than centre now - strong with the ball, decent line runner, but not much in terms of decision making or passing, and he's getting slower. If you can't find someone to take him off your hands it'd probably be your best bet rather than keeping him at centre, but it would probably only be as cover rather than him being first choice

Should have been on the wing years ago when he had a bit more pace, he's never had a rugby brain and has got by due to being a superb athlete more than anything. There are still some impressive aspects of his game but he's definitely on the slide.